Level 1 online

[davidsinn]

Most of us have heard of doing level one online but no one can tell you how to do it because at this time it's not possible to do. I figured out where that mistaken idea is coming from. Blame the IGs. I was working on our SUI last night and on TAB D-1 Professional Development Para 6 it states

Is Level I Training being offered quarterly or are new members being advised to complete Level I on line?·   How many members of the unit have NOT completed their Level I?  How are you encouraging these members to complete this training?·   For those that complete Level I, how you are conducting the summary conversations?

The red text was highlighted in the SUI guide. I'm assuming  that they intend for it to be online but just haven't done it yet. Looks to me like the left hand doesn't know what the right is doing.

[jeders]

Most of us have heard of doing level one online but no one can tell you how to do it because at this time it's not possible to do. I figured out where that mistaken idea is coming from. Blame the IGs. I was working on our SUI last night and on TAB D-1 Professional Development Para 6 it states

Is Level I Training being offered quarterly or are new members being advised to complete Level I on line?·   How many members of the unit have NOT completed their Level I?  How are you encouraging these members to complete this training?·   For those that complete Level I, how you are conducting the summary conversations?

The red text was highlighted in the SUI guide. I'm assuming  that they intend for it to be online but just haven't done it yet. Looks to me like the left hand doesn't know what the right is doing.

Level 1 is online in the CAP University page of the main site. The member goes there, looks at the articles and takes the quizzes. Then they bring the quizzes back to the squadron commander or designee who looks them over and reviews the information with the new member. Then the squadron commander/designee fills out the paperwork and sends it in to national.

[JonSawyer]

Level 1 is on line, but credit is still given by completing a CAPF 11 and submitting to National,  The member brings in the completed test and work sheets printed on line, the commander or mentor goes over the material with the member to ensure his/her understanding. To complete CPPT the members needs to have an E-Services account, the link is on the left hand side, once again the member prints the test and brings it to the squadron for credit.  OPSEC is completed online and credit is given online.

[Lt Oliv]

Reading PDFs, printing out quizzes, circling the correct answer and then bringing them to your commander is not what I would call "completing it online."

The Yeager Award is completed online.  You sign on, you take the test, if you pass your record is automatically updated.

ORM, OPSEC and EO are completed online.  You sign on, take the test, if you pass your record is automatically updated.

Having the PDF study guides available for you to take the test using a pen and paper is NOT "competing online."

I have mixed feelings about level one ever being completely online.  To be fair, I think a little too much of CAP is going to online, open book examinations.  I like the convenience of doing tests online.  But is it really worth it to skip a 15 minute conversation with your commander?

Do we want Cadet Protection to become something someone flipped through a book really quick on just to get through the online exam?

[davidsinn]

Reading PDFs, printing out quizzes, circling the correct answer and then bringing them to your commander is not what I would call "completing it online."

The Yeager Award is completed online.  You sign on, you take the test, if you pass your record is automatically updated.

ORM, OPSEC and EO are completed online.  You sign on, take the test, if you pass your record is automatically updated.

Having the PDF study guides available for you to take the test using a pen and paper is NOT "competing online."

I have mixed feelings about level one ever being completely online.  To be fair, I think a little too much of CAP is going to online, open book examinations.  I like the convenience of doing tests online.  But is it really worth it to skip a 15 minute conversation with your commander?

Do we want Cadet Protection to become something someone flipped through a book really quick on just to get through the online exam?

What he said.

As long as you must do something in person with paper you are not "completing" it online. Yes you can complete steps to getting Lvl 1 but you can not finish it without being there in person and talking with a live person and that person sending in paperwork. Again I blame the IGs for spreading this misconception.

[Eclipse]

I agree - this is not an "online" situation.

The summary conversations are required and if done properly should take a couple of hours, inducing
discussing any issues with the online quizzes.

The hardcopy and online materials should generate any number of good questions about CAP, and then the Commanders needs to fill in the procedures and expectations of the Wing/Group/Squadron.

Unit CC's bypassing the summary conversations are not only violating the spirit of the program but doing their members a disservice as well.

[NC Hokie]

You guys are right, Level 1 is not conducted online.  Perhape it would be better to have the SUI say this:

Is Level I Training being offered quarterly or are new members being advised to use the available online training resources? How many members of the unit have NOT completed their Level I? How are you encouraging these members to complete this training? For those that complete Level I, how you are conducting the summary conversations?

As an aside, am I the only one that thinks that the Subordinate Unit Inspection Guide and the Self Assessment Tool are needlessly confusing and poorly designed?

[davidsinn]

You guys are right, Level 1 is not conducted online.  Perhape it would be better to have the SUI say this:

Is Level I Training being offered quarterly or are new members being advised to use the available online training resources? How many members of the unit have NOT completed their Level I? How are you encouraging these members to complete this training? For those that complete Level I, how you are conducting the summary conversations?

As an aside, am I the only one that thinks that the Subordinate Unit Inspection Guide and the Self Assessment Tool are needlessly confusing and poorly designed?

No you are not. I hate it. Heck I don't even know how I'm supposed to answer it. Do I make a list with my answers? I'm afraid we're going to fail it because none of us have any clue what to so with the thing.

[EMT-83]

The Self Assessment Tool is just that, a tool to get you ready for the inspection. The inspection team might not even want to see the document.

Yes, write down the answers to the questions. When you're asked, "Where's the squadron charter?" you can refer to your sheet and know that it's in the bottom drawer of the middle file cabinet.

The material is out of date. When the inspection guide was wrong, I made a note of the new regulation, just in case the inspection team asked the question.

[davidsinn]

The Self Assessment Tool is just that, a tool to get you ready for the inspection. The inspection team might not even want to see the document.

Yes, write down the answers to the questions. When you're asked, "Where's the squadron charter?" you can refer to your sheet and know that it's in the bottom drawer of the middle file cabinet.

The material is out of date. When the inspection guide was wrong, I made a note of the new regulation, just in case the inspection team asked the question.

I was talking about the actual SUI itself. I heard mention of people just handing over CDs to the IG and passing. What kind of stuff is on there?

[Lt Oliv]

I will note that some of the Level 1 Quizzes are poorly written and sometimes a bit misleading. 

I think someone with some "book learnin'" should give them a rewrite to make the whole summary conversation flow a lot easier.

You're always going to have commanders who skip the conversation.  Is it wrong? Absolutely, it hurts everyone.  You will also always have AD Officers who do stupid things.  Both can result in someone getting hurt, the only difference is the AD Officer gets paid. 

One last thought on online learning.  The internet is a great tool to deliver information.  I learn quite a bit taking online courses for work and am thankful I don't have to go out several nights during the week to attend a physical class for something that can be accomplished in a chatroom or a message board.

However, if we put EVERYTHING on the internet, I fear we will have individuals who are what I can only describe as eCAP.  People whose membership exists only on the internet. 

We have enough problems with inactive people advancing.  If we let people complete SLS on the internet, some armchair jockey could make Captain without ever having to put pants on.

At the same time, I don't want to have to go to Group HQ twice a week to complete ORM or something like that. 

A fine balancing act indeed. 

[Short Field]

You will also always have AD Officers who do stupid things.  Both can result in someone getting hurt, the only difference is the AD Officer gets paid. 

The AD Commissioned Officer can see his career come to a rapid end and, depending on the situation, UCMJ charges. 

[Eclipse]

The Self Assessment Tool is just that, a tool to get you ready for the inspection. The inspection team might not even want to see the document.

Yes, write down the answers to the questions. When you're asked, "Where's the squadron charter?" you can refer to your sheet and know that it's in the bottom drawer of the middle file cabinet.

The material is out of date. When the inspection guide was wrong, I made a note of the new regulation, just in case the inspection team asked the question.

I was talking about the actual SUI itself. I heard mention of people just handing over CDs to the IG and passing. What kind of stuff is on there?

You will need to provide answers to all the questions to the satisfation of the examiners.

Which pages are applicable depends on your echelon, operations, and staffing (i.e if you don't have any cadets, those pages may not be applicable).

In most cases, the examiner will want to see substantiation of the answer though documentation, rosters, and similar.  There are any number of ways to accomplish this with a binder, photos, and lots of .pdfs.

The first step is determining which pages are applicable, then just reading the question, and proving the answer(s).  Being intimately familiar with the regs will help, especially if there is a difference of opinion.

I've heard far too many tales about examiners who feel their opinion of a unit's function should be the law.  Point out the actual regulation is generally the fix for that.

Knowing the difference in a regulatory sense between "may", "should", "will" and "shall" helps, too.

Things that are required may be noted as findings, things which are optional may only be observations, in which case whether they need to be fixed is between you and you next in the the chain.

Make sure you're familiar with the staffing requirements for your charter.  20-1 is a suggestion, not a requirements.  The required staff positions are generally Commander, Safety, Finance (if you have money), and TCO (if you're doing testing).

FM and TCO can't be the commander, everything else can be, but isn't required anyway.  (i.e., there's no requirement to have an ESO, or AEO, as long as the Commander is doing any required reports, etc.).

[Bear Walling]

Since I am in Iraq, I just did all my Level 1 requirement's online. I didn't find it that difficult at all. My squadron commander at home was really helpful to which I am grateful.

Back when I was originally in, I recall it always being a hassle to get things completed. With Technology becoming a major factor nowadays, it is really nice because I can do things at my pace and when I am able.

[davidsinn]

Since I am in Iraq, I just did all my Level 1 requirement's online. I didn't find it that difficult at all. My squadron commander at home was really helpful to which I am grateful.

Back when I was originally in, I recall it always being a hassle to get things completed. With Technology becoming a major factor nowadays, it is really nice because I can do things at my pace and when I am able.

How did you do your summary conversations with your commander?

[Lt Oliv]

Since I am in Iraq, I just did all my Level 1 requirement's online. I didn't find it that difficult at all. My squadron commander at home was really helpful to which I am grateful.

Back when I was originally in, I recall it always being a hassle to get things completed. With Technology becoming a major factor nowadays, it is really nice because I can do things at my pace and when I am able.

How did you do your summary conversations with your commander?

Well....Alexander Graham Bell developed this technology which has become commonplace in most American homes....

Surely I jest.

I'd be upset if the summary conversation was conducted via telephone (including VoIP) or even e-mail were it not for someone in Iraq.  I just wouldn't want to see Level 1 going to all distance learning because people don't want to get in the car and drive the 10 minutes to their local unit.

[davidsinn]

Since I am in Iraq, I just did all my Level 1 requirement's online. I didn't find it that difficult at all. My squadron commander at home was really helpful to which I am grateful.

Back when I was originally in, I recall it always being a hassle to get things completed. With Technology becoming a major factor nowadays, it is really nice because I can do things at my pace and when I am able.

How did you do your summary conversations with your commander?

Well....Alexander Graham Bell developed this technology which has become commonplace in most American homes....

Surely I jest.

I'd be upset if the summary conversation was conducted via telephone (including VoIP) or even e-mail were it not for someone in Iraq.  I just wouldn't want to see Level 1 going to all distance learning because people don't want to get in the car and drive the 10 minutes to their local unit.

Yeah I don't really have a problem with a deployed soldier doing it that way.

[WT]

And don't forget one of the most important points.  The summary dicsussion, if done correctly and with enough enthusiasm, gives us the opportunity to spend some valuable time with the member and helps us field their interest and helps us continue pointing them in the right direction within the squadron!